26 fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

Looking for fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up? Good news: there's so much to do, experience, and see in the city for kids. Rain or shine, you'll find both the best indoor activities and the most exciting outdoor outings here. From trampoline parks to canoeing through the canals and from science museums to street art scavenger hunts, this list is packed with inspiration for an afternoon, weekend, or holiday in your own city. Read on to discover the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up. Have fun!

26 fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

Swing on the A'DAM Tower

For true daredevils! On the roof of the A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam Noord, you'll soar on Europe's highest swing, feet free above the city. After your adrenaline rush, relax on the roof terrace and gaze out over Amsterdam together. Play a game of "I spy" or test your kids' knowledge: will they recognize the Rijksmuseum, the Johan Cruijff Arena, or perhaps even your own neighborhood? Note: the minimum height is 120 cm.
IJpromenade 4, Amsterdam

This is Holland

In this 5D flight simulator, you'll literally fly over the Netherlands, complete with wind, scents, and movement. During the flight, you'll see images of our UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Amsterdam's canal district, the Wadden Sea, and countless windmills. Less touristy than you might think, and so spectacular that even teenagers will be impressed.
Overhoeksplein 51, Amsterdam 

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Pannenkoekenboot

Eating with a view? On the Pannenkoekenboot Cruise across the IJ River for 75 minutes while enjoying unlimited pancakes. Kids can have fun in the play corner while you help yourself to another pancake. A delightful outing that will delight everyone on board, especially if you snag a window table!
Ms. van Riemsdijkweg 33, Amsterdam 

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Climbing Forest Fun Forest in the Amsterdamse Bos

Climbing and clambering through the treetops? At the Amsterdamse Bos Climbing Forest, children as tall as 110 cm (approximately 6 years old) can enjoy it. For slightly older children, there are also more challenging courses with a bit more action, starting at 113 cm. Think ziplines, rope bridges, and high-altitude climbing routes.
Bosbaanweg 3, Amstelveen – funforest.nl

© Fun Forest Amsterdamse Bos

more fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

Go on a treasure hunt in the Palace on Dam Square

A visit to the Palace should be on every child's bucket list! Did you know that kids up to 18 years old can visit all year round? free admission to the Palace Can you, including a fun audio tour? For younger children, there's the Prince Louis treasure hunt. For older children, there's an exciting search for the stolen peace branch. As a reward, there's a fun surprise waiting at the end of the tour to take home! 

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Prince Louis (ages 5-8): Children are guided on this tour by Prince Louis, son of King Louis Napoleon. He tells them about the building and how his father transformed Amsterdam City Hall into a palace in 1808. Each child also participates in a sticker scavenger hunt with this audio tour.

Jacob's Adventure (ages 9-12): This interactive audio tour takes you back 350 years. Something terrible has happened… the peace branch has been stolen! Who did it and why? Join Jacob on this adventure. Along the way, you'll discover all sorts of things about the building's art and history.

© Your Little Black Book

Children's Escape Room/VR games

Amsterdam also boasts exciting escape rooms for young detectives. Several locations offer specially adapted games for kids aged six and up, with customized puzzles and guidance where needed. For example, at The Park Playground, you can play a mysterious VR game like Mask of the Pharaoh.

Rent a duo canoe at Amsterdamse Bos or Sloterplas

Fancy a bit of adventure on the water? Rent a tandem canoe and discover the joy of paddling together through the city and the countryside. In places like Sloterplas Lake or the Amsterdamse Bos, you'll glide among the greenery, hear birdsong, and perhaps even spot some charming fish alongside the canoe. Or take a tour of the canals and explore the city from the water. 7 fun places to canoe in Amsterdam >>

Trampoline park

Want to get rid of all that energy? Amsterdam has several indoor trampoline parks where kids can have a blast. At places like Jumpsquare, Bounz, or Fun Center, they can bounce from trampoline to trampoline, play a game of dodgeball, dive into the foam pit, or practice somersaults on the tumbling track. Perfect for a rainy afternoon or as an active outing with friends.

Arcades in Amsterdam

By visiting an arcade every now and then, we have managed to keep the game console out of the house now that my son is a little older. Check out the shortlist of fun arcades in Amsterdam for slightly older kids >>

 | TIP: At IJver on the NDSM wharf, they not only have a play corner for the little ones, but the arcade machines are a real treat for kids aged 6 and up! 

Zeal © Your Little Black Book

Skate parks in Amsterdam

For kids with a skateboard, scooter, or skates, Amsterdam offers plenty of places to practice and learn tricks. Popular parks in Amsterdam include Olympiaplein and Zeeburgereiland. Does your child really want to learn? Through This is Soul, you can book skating lessons at various locations throughout the city. Perfect for kids who want to learn some extra tricks or are just starting out.

GlowGolf/minigolf Amsterdam

Fancy a game of mini golf? GlowGolf is available in bad weather Aloha A super fun indoor alternative: you play under blacklight on fluorescent courses full of glowing obstacles. Prefer to go outside? In good weather, the mini golf course in Amstelpark is highly recommended. Make it a fun competition: who can get the ball in the fewest strokes?

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© Minigolf Amstelpark

more fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

Kinderkookkafé

Does your child always join in the fun when you start cooking? At the Kinderkookkafé, they can do it all themselves. Kids cook their own meals, set the table, and then serve it together. Fun and educational! Tip: Every first Saturday of the month, there's an Open Dinner for kids. Reservations are recommended, as it's often full.
Vondelpark 6B, Amsterdam – kinderkookkafe.nl

Tony's Chocolonely Superstore

Calling all chocoholics! In the heart of Amsterdam, you'll find Tony's Chocolonely Superstore, where everything revolves around chocolate. You can, of course, choose your favorite bar (and eat it right away by the canal), but the best part? Design your own bar. Choose your favorite flavor, add ingredients like crackling chocolate or disco dip, and take home a uniquely packaged one. We bet your kids will be incredibly proud of their creation!
Oudebrugsteeg 15, Amsterdam – tonyschocolonely.com

STREET Street art Museum

Looking for a museum where your children won't be bored? STREET at the NDSM wharf In Amsterdam, street art is the shining centerpiece. This impressive hall—one of the largest street art museums in the world—is packed with colorful murals, graffiti, and installations that are sure to appeal to younger visitors as well. The scavenger hunt makes it extra fun and interactive for kids, and in the creative workshop space, they can get creative themselves if you book one of the workshops. Perfect for a day out that's a little different from your standard museum visit. Children under 12 are admitted free.

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STREET © Your Little Black Book

more fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

SoundLAB at Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

For children who love music, the SoundLAB is a real treat. Here, they discover how to make music with the most unexpected instruments, from bicycle wheels to tubes and everything in between. By experimenting with sound, they learn how sounds are created, and if they succeed, they might even compose their own piece of music. 
Piet Heinkade 1, Amsterdam – muziekgebouw.nl

Artis

One of our favorite places to go in Amsterdam! In Artis You can not only admire animals up close, but also play in the large playground, attend the penguin feeding, or search for the lions in their new enclosure. Among the giraffes, monkeys, and butterflies, there's always something to discover.
Plantation Kerklaan 38, Amsterdam 

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Micropia (next to Artis)

The wonderful world of invisible life comes to life at MicropiaIn this unique museum, children discover all about bacteria, viruses, and microbes that live all around us and inside us. They explore under a microscope, through interactive installations, and with their own bacteria passport. 
Plantation Kerklaan, Amsterdam 

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| TIP: View more tips for child-friendly museums in Amsterdam here >>

NEMO Science Museum

See, do and discover: at NEMO Everything is touchable. Children experiment with watercourses, electricity, and chain reactions, and learn about science and technology through play. The entire museum feels like an interactive play paradise for curious minds. On warm days, the free rooftop terrace with its water play area is a favorite. During school holidays, there are often extra workshops, so check the schedule in advance for even more fun for the kids.
Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam 

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Nemo Science Museum

more fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

WONDR Experience

Welcome to a colorful paradise full of slides, ball pits, discos, and giant teddy bears. At this Instagram-worthy museum, kids can wander from one pink room to the next, jump into a bath full of marshmallows, or take a dip in the glitter shower. Everything is perfectly styled, and kids can entertain themselves for hours. MIRACLE.
Meeuwenlaan 88, Amsterdam 

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The Upside Down Museum

Enter the fantasy world of The Upside Down, where nothing is quite what it seems. In this interactive museum, you'll discover 25 different settings full of surprising elements, illusions, and colorful spaces. Everything is literally upside down, perfect for imaginative children and parents who secretly love a good photo.
Europaboulevard 5, Amsterdam 

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| TIP: Discover more Instagrammable museums throughout the Netherlands here >>

more fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

Ripley's Believe It or Not

For curious kids who love crazy facts and visual tricks, Ripley's A feast for the eyes. In this cabinet of curiosities, you'll discover bizarre stories, rare objects, and meet remarkable people from history. Come face-to-face with the tallest man in the world, walk through the Netherlands' only Space Tunnel, and challenge your mind with optical illusions and interactive mind games.
Dam 21, Amsterdam

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Child-friendly boat tour with Blue Boat Company

Taking a boat trip with the kids? Hop aboard the Blue Boat Company Kids Cruise. Children receive their own audio tour with Sjonnie the Amsterdam Mouse, a booklet with activities, crayons, and pirate binoculars. During the trip, they'll sail along in search of freshwater pirates, while you listen to the regular guide. At the end, each child receives a captain's diploma. 
Stadhouderskade 501, Amsterdam – blueboat.nl

Blue Boat Company

more fun things to do in Amsterdam with kids aged 6 and up

Disco swimming at the Miranda pool

Swimming, but with a party! During disco swimming, the pool transforms into a mini-club with light shows, music, and of course, plenty of water fun. Every last Friday of the month, you can dance to the beats of DJ Ruben at De Mirandabad in Amsterdam.
Mirandalaan 9, Amsterdam – zwembad-amsterdam.nl

With the kids to the playground

Fancy some fun outside? Amsterdam has plenty of nice playgrounds Where children can enjoy themselves for hours, from small neighborhood playgrounds to large natural playgrounds with water and climbing frames. Read all about the best playgrounds in Amsterdam per district here >> Is it raining? No problem! Then just dive into one of the indoor playgrounds Where they can climb, slide, and clamber while you enjoy a cup of coffee. A simple, yet always successful activity.

Picking flowers in a picking garden

Take the kids to a pick-your-own garden and create a colorful bouquet. With scissors and a basket, they can pick their own favorite flowers—the most beautiful blooms in season. It's fun for a sunny afternoon outdoors, and extra proud when the finished product arrives at home. Check out the best pick-your-own gardens around Amsterdam here >>

Picking apples and pears

Did you know that at the end of summer you can also pick your own apples or pears near Amsterdam? It's just as fun and delicious to take home. Check out our list of the best apple orchards near Amsterdam to discover where that is possible.

Olmenhorst